Royal Princess Passengers Involved in Plane Crash

[NavArch64]

As soon as Royal Princess sailed from Vancouver on Saturday, all on board … passengers and crew … became part of an extended family for the 7 day voyage to Whittier. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Royal Princess family on their loss in Ketchikan.

[dcrow72]

such a terrible tragedy.  I leave on Royal Saturday.  Although the photos of the flight tours are beautiful, air tragedies are not uncommon in Alaska and I'm petrified and only booked ground tours.   My heart goes out to all those affected and thanks to Princess for always trying to do the right thing and take care of passengers and their families affected by tragedy.  I've been on a couple of cruises that have had tragic deaths and it's so hard on everyone including the staff.  I hope they find the missing person and all those hospitalized get to return home.    

[Shanlon42]

35 minutes ago, bemis12 said:

 

That's probably why I didn't quote you or respond to your post.

 

I’m sorry about that, I was mistaken in my understanding of your post. Sad times make for raw feelings. 

[lindafromns]

I will be getting on this ship when it arrives in Whittier.  This news is so terrible.  I'm so sorry for the many people affected by this tragedy!

[RJB]

So sad for all involved.  My prayers go out to everyone. 

[Mom33]

😢🙏

[metairiegal]

CNN article:

 

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/13/us/alaska-plane-collision/index.html

 

[nick659]

We are on Royal Princess and going to Juneau scheduled to arrive at 10am. I found this letter on the floor at me bedroom door. 

[milolii]

Hello nick659.  Many of us are thinking  and expressing our thoughts to the passengers involved as well as their families.  But we are also thinking of those of you on the ship now. Plus the crew, of course. 

 

Please take care. 

[burrma]

Thanks for posting.

 

[idahospud]

I've just posted an update of what's transpired onboard so far on my blog. I hope it's okay I've copied and pasted it here. 

 

Royal Princess Accident Update

As people are looking for more information about what is happening on the Royal Princess in regards to yesterday's plane crash in Ketchikan, Alaska, I thought I'd update you on what we know so far.

• Monday afternoon after our all-aboard time, an announcement came over the speakers in our cabin. We assumed it would be the standard passenger services desk call looking for those passengers not yet onboard. But it was the Captain with the sad news that one of Royal Princess' float plane excursions to Misty Fjords had been involved in an accident and that a second plane on an independent tour also had Royal Princess guests on it. He said there was a collision of the planes and the condition of the passengers was unknown. We were all asked to contact family and friends to let them know we were okay and that a care team was available onboard for those who would like to use it. We also learned at that time that our planned 3:15 pm departure from Ketchikan would be delayed.
• Around 6:00 pm we saw passengers and crew with luggage being disembarked and driven away in vans. We later learned the crew members were going with the families to provide support while ashore. 
• After the last of the families left, the Captain provided an updated announcement. When he came over the loudspeaker, the entire ship froze in their tracks. We were on the Lido deck and every single person stopped what they were doing and listened intently.
• The Captain announced that nine passengers from our ship on the Princess excursion were rescued but one was still missing. He said on the other plane, four Princess passengers from our ship as well as the pilot had died. Counselors are available for passengers and crew. He also said the ship will arrive in Juneau at 10 am instead of the scheduled 8 am. Princess excursions are being rearranged, and if passengers were booked on any flightseeing excursions during the rest of the voyage they can ask for for a full refund if they wish to cancel. 
• We attended the Most Traveled Guest gathering Monday evening. The Captain understandably was absent from the gathering. Considering the solemn mood of the ship, several passengers scheduled to attended opted out. We held a moment of silence during the evening. 
• Sometime Monday night/early Tuesday morning we received a letter in our cabin:

• For the most part, passengers have been amazing in their level of respect being shown during this time. This ship, full of thousands of people, has a subdued tone. Lowered voices, slower pace. We did overhear some inappropriate speculative conversations last night. We just had to removes ourselves from the area. And already a this has kind of ruined my trip has come up. But otherwise we all have heavy hearts.
• Our Internet has been spotty the last 12 hours or so. If you have friends or family you are concerned about, we will be in Juneau from approximately 10 am - 9 pm so I would recommend calling them on their cell phones during that time.

I'll continue to provide updates here on the blog as they become available. I don't do social media - no Facebook, Twitter, etc - but I have heard from others there is quite a bit of misinformation out there. I can't worry about that, but I can report straight from the ship. Let me know if you need anything from me. I'm more than happy to help if I can.

[3redheads]

So very sad, whether it was a Princess excursion or not.

 

The post about the luggage being taken off really made it sink in.  ☹️

[Cruisergal1208]

Idahospud, may I have your permission to repost your report to a Facebook page that is following this sad event?

[idahospud]

2 minutes ago, Cruisergal1208 said:

Idahospud, may I have your permission to repost your report to a Facebook page that is following this sad event?

You may. I can also give you the direct link to the blog update page, but I can't share that link on Cruise Critic itself.

[Cruisergal1208]

2 minutes ago, idahospud said:

You may. I can also give you the direct link to the blog update page, but I can't share that link on Cruise Critic itself.

I understand. Thank you. If you like you may send link to mabeckham at mindspring dot com. Thank you for letting me share this with those other concerned sailers on other lines. 

[nick659]

Idahospud, I would like to share your update on my facebook. Thanks for your posting in details.

[PelicanBill]

There is still conflicting information about how many are missing. is it 1 or 2?  CNN says 2, other reports and the ship letter suggest 1.  Anyone know for sure?

[ZoeyVictoria]

5 minutes ago, PelicanBill said:

There is still conflicting information about how many are missing. is it 1 or 2?  CNN says 2, other reports and the ship letter suggest 1.  Anyone know for sure?

 

Is it possible that the other pilot is also missing, and would be the second person being reported as missing?

[petefoss]

So sad to hear it was Randy who was the other pilot.  Michelle at Island Wings had nothing but good things to say about him when we flew with her.

[idahospud]

11 minutes ago, Cruisergal1208 said:

I understand. Thank you. If you like you may send link to mabeckham at mindspring dot com. Thank you for letting me share this with those other concerned sailers on other lines. 

I just emailed you. Thank you for sharing with others. 

[idahospud]

12 minutes ago, nick659 said:

Idahospud, I would like to share your update on my facebook. Thanks for your posting in details.

You may. If you want the direct link to the update page email me at cruisingandcrafting at gmail dot com.

[ceilidh1]

Thank you to those onboard who are providing updates. While we may not be physically on the sailing, our hearts and thoughts are all with you.

[LHARTWICK]

13 hours ago, JanetAlice said:

Any word on the operator of the other plane? We flew with Island Wings many times. 

We've also flown with Island Wings and just adored them.  What's disturbing is that a major news station is using a photo of Michelle and her plane in their story as if it was her plane involved in the crash, which it was not.  What a tragic event.  Prayers for all involved.

[doublemm16]

4 hours ago, CATGUY7 said:

https://www.mtnairservice.com/about

I am familiar with them. I flew with mountain Air last summer to Traitors Cove. Randy was an excellent pilot who was referred to us by Island Wings. This is horribly tragic!

Edited May 14, 2019 by doublemm16

[Tak8]

Prayers to all involved and their families.